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Festive Self-guided Walking at Brecon

Activity types:

Level

Difficulty indicator

Difficulty is measured on many factors such as distance, ascent/descent, terrain, weather and more. There's no magic formula, but from our experience we use yellow for easy, orange for medium and red for hard. Challenger holidays require a high level of fitness and stamina.

Holiday overview

Enjoy a festive break in the Brecon Beacons with the walking experts; we have all the ingredients for your perfect Self-guided Walking holiday.

Our tranquil 4-star Country House, in the quiet market town of Brecon, is geared to the needs of walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy hearty local food, our legendary picnic lunches, and our excellent boot and drying room. To help you explore we'll give you a free Ordnance Survey map, plus detailed route notes for our recommended walks. On many holidays our experienced leaders are on hand to offer help and advice.

A free Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale Explorer map of the local area with every booking

Detailed route notes, ranging from short strolls to mountain walks

Country House Escapes guide – full of information about local attractions, activities and suggested itineraries to help plan your break

All the Country House facilities, including our well equipped boot and drying room and indoor pool

On many holidays our experienced walking leaders are available to offer help and advice

In pictures...

Accommodation

Nythfa House is a charming Country House, located on the edge of the market town of Brecon. Spacious public rooms, attractive gardens and indoor swimming pool make it a popular and relaxing place to stay.

Bedrooms

Nythfa House has 28 bedrooms. Most are located in the main house, with others in garden annexes.

Our classic bedrooms offer comfortable accommodation and an en-suite bathroom with bath or shower. They also have TV, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities. Single rooms are available for an extra £8 per night.

You can enjoy extra space or exceptional views plus additional facilities including a towelling robe and complimentary slippers when you upgrade to a premium bedroom. Premium rooms are available at just £5 extra per person per night.

If you are travelling with your family, we have a selection of 3 and 4-bedded family bedrooms. These have all the facilities of our classic rooms plus full sized twin or double beds for adults and bunk beds or occasional beds for children.

A limited number of value twin rooms are available at a discount of £8 per person per night and value single rooms with a £5 per night discount. Our value rooms have the same facilities as our classic rooms, but bathroom facilities are nearby rather than en-suite.

All our Country Houses are tailored to walkers and outdoor enthusiasts and have excellent boot and drying rooms and laundry facilities.

In the main house there is a large upstairs lounge, an attractive dining room and a spacious bar. The ballroom is suitable for dancing, evening talks and also for some of our indoor leisure activity holidays. This links with the pleasant conservatory which looks out onto the garden. Free WiFi is available in some public rooms. There is also a range of board games and books.

A separate building houses the indoor swimming pool.

The house is surrounded by extensive gardens that contain a putting green and croquet lawn.

All holidays at our Country Houses are Full Board with all meals included, from dinner on arrival to breakfast on the day of your departure.

Start your day with our extensive breakfast. Choose from a wide selection on the cold buffet and/or a full cooked breakfast. Maybe enjoy a lighter option of fruit and yoghurt followed by scrambled egg, go for porridge followed by a full Welsh breakfast, or select something in between.

Choose from our famous self-select picnic lunches - everything you need to keep you going on a day outdoors. Your own choice of sandwiches is prepared to order, and you can add crisps and snacks, fruit, nuts, chocolate bars, sweets and biscuits as you wish.

The relaxed dinner is a highlight of any stay at our Country Houses. With tables seating up to 10 and no seating plan, it offers a great opportunity to get to know your fellow guests. There is always a choice of dishes for every course, featuring good British cooking and often local specialities. A vegetarian option is always available.

All our Country Houses have a well-stocked bar serving local beers, wine and spirits.

Guided Walking: enjoy a glass of wine or local beer in the bar before a talk about the next day's walks. After dinner there will be an activity or entertainment which you will be welcome to join. These vary from week to week but could include a talk on local wildlife from a local speaker or a team quiz. Alternatively if you prefer, feel free to just relax in our lounge or bar.

Leisure Activities: many of our Leisure Activities holidays continue into the evening with programmed sessions. Other holidays will have the evenings free, and you will be welcome to join in other social activities that may be happening in the house.

Family holidays: our activity leaders are on hand to organise children’s activities and games for younger children before dinner. These could include rounders, outdoor games, or crafts. After dinner there are further activities for the whole family.

Self-Guided Walking: there may be evening social activities happening in the house during your holiday, and you will be most welcome to join in. However, not all self-guided holidays will have evening activities available – if these are important to you, please check before booking.

Most public areas are carpeted. The ballroom has wooden floor and the conservatory has quarry tiles

Minimum corridor width is 130cm

The main stairway has 18 steps. Each step is 16cm high, 26cm deep and 90cm wide. There is a hand rail

There is no lift

Good standard lighting throughout the house

Public Areas - Sitting room, lounges, lobbies etc

The lounge (1st floor) measures 7 x 10m with a large landing. There is a large number of arm/tub chairs, stools and coffee tables. All furniture is easily movable

The lounge is fully carpeted and has a mixture of wall and ceiling lights

Coal effect gas fire with guard rail and an electric fan heater on a hearth

The guest internet computer is located in the lounge

Public WCs

There is a single public WC on the ground floor

The door width is 75cm, floor space 200 x 190cm

The toilet seat is 42cm high and the wash basin is 83cm high

Restaurant / Dining Room, Bar & Bar area

The fully carpeted dining room is on the ground floor. It is L-shaped and measures 10 x 8m and 2 x 9m

It has 2 Welsh dressers, 6 round, 4 legged tables, each seating up to 9-10 people. The tables are 73cm high

Seats have no arms, 50cm high, with 86 cm backs

Waitress service both at breakfast and dinner times

White / cream crockery, clear glassware. Standard cutlery

Special diets catered for, but should be advised pre or on arrival

The carpeted bar area is situated adjacent to the dining room. It has various seating for up to 24 guests. There are 8 chairs with arms. Seat height 45cm, the seat back is 84cm. Round tables are 70cm high

Leisure Facilities

Swimming pool / art studio building is situated near the entrance gates (some 150 yards from the main house)

There is a single step on the entrance. The height of the step is 7cm and the width is 140cm

Open plan changing rooms with showers are on the ground floor

The tiled swimming pool with a tiled surround is raised from ground level and is reached by 5 tiled steps. The pool measures 10 x 5 yards, and is sloping with the depth varying from 1.05m to 1.6m

There are no disabled aids

The water temperature is set to 32°C

There are 2 toilets in the pool building. The toilet in the foyer has a door width of 73cm, toilet seat height of 44cm, wash basin height of 80cm and the approx floor measurement of 2 x 1.5m. The toilet between the changing rooms has a door width of 91cm, toilet seat height of 44cm, wash basin height of 79cm and the approx floor measurement of 2.7 x 1.7m

There are 14 steps to the 1st floor studio. The steps are 19cm high, 26cm deep and 86cm wide. Wooden parquet flooring

Bedrooms

All bedrooms have fitted carpets and standard modern furniture. All except one of the bedrooms are with en-suite shower or bath

Bedrooms are either single, twin or double bedded

Kettle in each room with supplies of tea, coffee, sugar etc available

All rooms are carpeted and well lit

All furniture, including beds is movable

Room 17 is directly off the ground floor corridor. There are 2 beds, each 59cm high. The approximate room size is 5 x 4m. The door width is 84cm

Bathroom, Shower-room & WC [en-suite or shared]

All except one of the bedrooms are en-suite with either a shower or a bath. 1 bedroom has WC only

The bathrooms either have a nonslip or lino flooring

All showers are electric, single shower cubicle with hinged door and normal ground-level shower tray

All baths are standard size with standard twist & turn taps

No disabled aids available

Room 17 has a shower room. Electric shower. The shower room door width is 68cm, the shower door is 60cm wide, a hinged single glass door. Shower tray measures 70 x 70cm and is 22cm high. The toilet seat height is 43cm and the wash basin is 82cm high. The flooring is non-slip vinyl

Grounds and Gardens

The grounds around the house are level or slightly sloped, mainly laid to lawns with flower beds

Seating available

Gravel footpaths (some with raised edging)

No lighting during the night

Additional Information

Fire procedure is displayed in each room and explained to guests on arrival. Guests requiring assistance at an evacuation are identified at this time and door hanger cards are issued on request. An under-pillow vibrating pad is available on request

A fridge is available in the first floor lounge for storing medication

Good signage for fire escape routes

One bedroom key issued per room (second key available on request)

Assistance dogs accompanying visually or hearing impaired guests are welcome; dogs must be kept on a lead or harness at all times

Information can be provided in large print

Staff has had disability awareness training

Self-guided walks

Make use of our Discovery Point at Nythfa House - the starting point for your outdoor adventure. You'll find:

Our recommended walks - detailed route notes for you to borrow

Comprehensive library of local maps and guidebooks

Ideas and contacts for more active options such as kayaking and pony trekking

A daily weather forecast

When you're not walking, there's plenty to do locally. Why not cycle along the Brecon canal, explore the many bookshops in Hay-on-Wye, or go underground at the excellent Big Pit mining museum. See the 'Local Area' tab for further ideas.

Detailed walking notes: all our walking notes contain detailed directions, route maps, and information about the places of interest on the route.

Laid back walks

Our easiest routes, allowing plenty of time to savour the magnificent mountain landscapes. All our walk notes suggest the best places to stop, great pubs, and tea rooms.

A stroll around Hay-on-Wye - 2 miles

Mynydd Illtud - 3 miles

Pen-y-Crug - 4 miles

Exploring Brecon - 4 miles

Around Crickhowell - 5 miles

Leg stretcher walks

Some longer walks on valley and lakeside paths, plus a few of the easier lower hills.

Sgwyd y Eira - 4 miles

Hay-on-Wye circuit - 7 miles

Sugar Loaf - 7 miles

Brecon Canal - 8 miles

Talybont on Usk - 8 miles

Full on walks

For those who love the high mountains, or stride out on longer walks. Expect some rough paths as you head to some of these famous summits, but there are plenty of rewards when you reach the top.

Corn Du, Pen y Fan - 4 miles

Pen y Fan & Cribyn - 6 miles

Northern Beacons Horseshoe - 7 miles

Llangattock Edge - 10 miles

Beacons Horseshoe - 10 miles

A tour of Waterfalls Country - 11 miles

What our HF Holidays' route testers say:

Corndu & Pen y Fan- "A circular mountain walk to two of the peaks of the Brecon Beacons, Corndu and Pen Y fan (the highest at 886m). The route is on good stone paths but there is +400m (1400ft) of ascent. The views at the top take in all of the Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains and the Carmarthen fans and on a clear day all the way to the coast." Paul Jones, HF Holidays Leader

Sgwyd Yr Eira (Waterfalls of the snow)- "This is a spectacular circular walk along the Afon Mellte river. You will see spectacular waterfalls and caves and also have the opportunity to walk behind Sgwd Yr Eira the "waterfall of the snow. This walk is a must whilst visiting the Brecon Beacons." Simon Foster, HF Holidays Leader

Around Tal-y-Bont on Usk -"Follow a gently rising old tramway line to gain views over a reservoir and the Beacons high peaks, then a gentle descent through farmland, to return along the scenic Brecon & Monmouthshire canal." Neil West, HF Holidays Leader

Northern Beacons Horseshoe -"This is a superb walk, offering variety, ascent of the highest peak in the south of the UK and just a little bit of mild adventure. It is not a long walk but is extremely satisfying."Hugh Price, HF Holidays Leader

Local area

Discover the Brecon Beacons

During your stay at Nythfa House you may enjoy visiting the following places of interest, either in your free time, or on your journey to and from Brecon:

Brecon is a quaint market town at the foot of the Brecon Beacons; an area of sweeping high moorland, and beautiful green valleys. The town has a good range of facilities including shops, supermarkets, post office, chemists, banks, pubs and cafés. During your stay you may enjoy visiting Brecon Cathedral or take a scenic cruise from Brecon along the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal. www.breconcathedral.org.uk or www.dragonfly-cruises.co.uk

Big Pit Mining MuseumTravel underground at the excellent Big Pit museum in Blaenavon and discover the life of a South Wales coal miner. Blaenavon is around 45 minutes' drive from Brecon. www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit

Hay-on-WyeThe quaint small town of Hay-on-Wye is about 30 minutes' drive from Brecon, and can also be reached by bus every 2 hours. The town is now famed for its annual literary festival, and extensive selection of second-hand book shops.

HerefordHereford is an attractive city, around an hour's drive from Brecon, whose cathedral houses the famous Mappa Mundi, a 12th century map of the world. www.herefordcathedral.org

Dan yr Orgof CavesAn impressive show-cave, one of the largest in Europe, with fine stalactites and stalagmites. The caves are around 30 minutes' drive from Brecon. www.showcaves.co.uk

Tretower CourtLocated near the village of Crickhowell, about 20 minutes' drive from Brecon, Tretower Court is a fine Medieval fortified manor house. www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

CardiffThe vibrant Welsh capital of Cardiff is also around 40 miles or 1 hour’s drive from Brecon. A visit could include the St Fagan’s National History Museum, Castell Coch, or the National Museum. www.visitcardiff.com

Travel

Travel to Brecon

By train:

The most convenient railway station is at Abergavenny. For train times and general rail enquiries visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 03457 484950 (from outside the UK call +44 20 7278 5240).

By taxi:

The 20 mile journey from Abergavenny railway station takes approximately 45 minutes. Pre-booked taxis cost approx £36 per taxi. Details of our current recommended taxi company and rates will be sent to you with your booking. The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Nythfa House Manager.

By bus:

The X43 bus operates from Abergavenny station to Brecon. Alight at the bus interchange in Brecon. Facing the road, head left along Heol Gouesnou to the traffic lights. Turn right heading uphill along Cerrigcochion Road for around 70 yards, and then turn left into Belle Vue Gardens. Head along the road and turn right at the T-junction (still Belle Vue Gardens). Head up the road to another T-junction and turn left into Cerrigcochion Lane. Walk for about 15 yards and you will see the Nythfa House sign on your right. For bus times see www.traveline.info

By car:

Most guests approach Brecon via the A40 from Abergavenny or the A470 from the northwest. These two roads converge at a roundabout on the Brecon bypass. At the roundabout follow the B4601 into Brecon. Pass the army barracks on your right, then turn right at the mini-roundabout (B4601). Continue ahead at the second mini-roundabout. Turn right at the traffic lights (B4602), then take the first left into Bell View Gardens. Take the next road on the right, then at the next T junction turn left. The drive to Nythfa House is ahead on the right.